Just then, a jumble of footsteps came from the other end of the alley.
Five men in matching gray martial outfits strode over.
The leader had a brutish face. Su Yueli sensed his aura: Third Realm. The other four were also at the First or Second Realm.
At the sight of the five men, the middle-aged blacksmith who had still been hammering iron turned deathly pale. He immediately dropped his hammer and hurried to greet them.
"Master Liu, what brings you here at this hour? Didn't we just pay this month's dues three days ago?" The blacksmith bowed low, his tone utterly servile.
The burly man addressed as Master Liu slapped the blacksmith across the face.
The sharp crack echoed through the alley.
The blow spun the blacksmith halfway around. The corner of his mouth split open, and blood streamed down.
"Those were last month's dues."
Master Liu sneered, sweeping his gaze over the dilapidated smithy. "The Black Tiger Gang just took over this neighborhood. The rules have changed. Starting today, the dues are doubled. If you can't produce the spirit stones, you can forget about keeping this shop open."
Clutching his face, the blacksmith fell to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.
Seeing this, the girl slumped in the mud instantly reddened around the eyes.
She grabbed the edgeless greatsword from the ground and forced herself to stand with the last of her strength.
Gripping the sword's pommel with both hands, she assumed that opening stance riddled with flaws and charged straight at the man.
Her eyes were filled with ferocity. She fought with no regard for her life.
Su Yueli stopped. To someone in the Martial Immortal Realm, the girl's movements seemed infinitely slowed, exposing countless flaws.
Back in Luochuan City, the "Ultimate Dao Martial Art"