But Old Xie did not know what sort of character Heart-Gouging Blade was. He frowned, assuming he was just another troublemaker, set down the teapot in his hand, and strode toward the corner with the gait of a dragon and tiger.
The customers all sat back at ease, wearing expressions as though they were watching a play.
Old Xie was broad and burly, with naturally powerful muscles and bones, well suited to tempering his vitality and blood. Though he had no internal cultivation method, under Zhou Qing'an's guidance, he had just entered the Dan-Holding stage of vitality and blood, enough to handle most situations.
Unfortunately, Heart-Gouging Blade was not among them.
Old Xie had already reached the Eight Immortals table in the corner. Looking down at the equally fierce-looking Heart-Gouging Blade, he said in a rumbling voice:
"Sir, if you do not like this little inn's wine, then pay up and find somewhere else."
"The wine and the jar come to twenty coins."
Old Xie held out one huge hand, while his other rested on the hilt of his blade.
This was opening the door to welcome guests: courtesy first, force afterward.
Heart-Gouging Blade tapped the tabletop lightly with one hand. He raised his brows, and the scar at the corner of his eye twitched like a writhing centipede. Grinning, he said:
"Heh, you're asking me for money?"
"I ought to use your heart as a drinking snack!"
With a clang.
The broken blade at his waist flew from its sheath.
It stabbed straight for Old Xie's heart with lightning speed.
Heart-Gouging Blade—one stroke to gouge out the heart, never a second word.
Old Xie's panther eyes widened round.
Almost the instant Heart-Gouging Blade made his move, the hand Old Xie had on his own blade moved as well. But