Pick Up the Legs

Golden light spun, slicing swiftly through the wind straight at his face.

Li Yu was drinking tea with his head lowered, seemingly oblivious.

Whoosh!

Fu Rong tightened her grip on the Black Slaughter Saber, anxious at heart. In this situation, she could not possibly act in the cult leader's stead.

"Let's see you keep putting on airs!"

A gleam of triumph flashed in Man Zhan's eyes. Though he had not reached the profound realm of using flying petals and plucked leaves as weapons, this specially made gold-foil challenge concealed his internal force. Spinning swiftly, it struck no less forcefully than a wooden board. The slightest carelessness would earn Li Yu a resounding slap.

Pfft!

Li Yu raised his eyes, his gaze like lightning... The gold-foil calling card stopped two feet away, hanging motionless.

Inside the hall, not even a crow or sparrow stirred.

Outside, a burst of jubilant cheering erupted. The Divine Dragon Cult disciples waved their sabers and swords, shoving the Beggars' Sect members into a corner. They might not understand the perilous, exquisite exchange, but they could tell who had won and who had lost.

"Well done, Cult Leader!"

"Our cult leader's divine skills are invincible!"

"Kill those West Canal Gate bastards! All they know is sneak attacks. Despicable, shameless scum..."

Man Zhan froze where he stood, his heart already churning like overturned rivers and seas. He vaguely felt that this attempt to probe his opponent had been a little rash. No wonder even Brother Ge fears him...

An even more frightening thought arose in Chen Youchun's mind.

Given time, could his martial arts truly stand alongside Murong Fu's?

The Murongs of Gusu, the Divine Dragon of Lake Tai... Damn, it even has a ring to it!

Chen Youchun shook his head sharply. Looking again at the blue-robed man seated leisurely beside the entrance, his eyes filled with jealous hatred.

I won't allow it. Absolutely not!

He had long since privately reserved for himself the position of Gusu's second young luminary, sharing renown with Murong Fu. Over the years, it had become a heart demon. For its sake, he could even pay any price.

People of the jianghu spoke of chivalry and righteousness, but who could wholly cast aside fame and profit?

The people of the world bustled to and fro.

To seek profit, one had to carve flesh from others.

To seek fame, one likewise had to step on other people's heads and faces to rise.

Fu Rong stood beside him, her eyes full of admiration, her initial worry now giving way to relief.

"The Divine Dragon Cult accepts this challenge today."

Li Yu pressed his thumb firmly against the challenge. His Minor Formless Skill instantly broke apart the vicious internal force attached to it. He did not open it. Loosening two fingers, he let the calling card fall to the floor, where it spread open faceup, revealing rather elegant handwriting.

"...On the fourteenth of the eighth month, in Apricot Grove, we shall settle who is superior..."

It was signed "Ge Zhixiong."

He chuckled, lowered the sole of his boot gently onto the challenge, and slowly twisted it twice.

"Tell Ge Zhixiong that on the fourteenth of the eighth month, I will take the head from his shoulders!"

"Anyone can talk big. Let's wait until we cross hands to see who wins!"

Man Zhan spoke loudly, standing with his hands tucked together. He might have lost the exchange, but he would not lose his dignity.

"On the fourteenth of the eighth month, the Beggars' Sect will also await your arrival in Apricot Grove. Cult Leader Li, be sure to arrive on time!"

Chen Youchun sneered and headed outside. Having witnessed Li Yu's strength, he would have to reconsider how to respond. Originally, he had only intended to act as an intermediary, reaping benefits from both sides and earning renown.

This trip to Green Willow Manor had completely changed his attitude.

Now, he was even more eager than West Canal Gate to see the Divine Dragon Cult defeated and destroyed!

Wind rose from the tips of duckweed; waves began amid the faintest ripples.

The deep feuds of the jianghu that shook past and present often had laughable origins.

A sentence, a glance, a misunderstanding, or the instigation of some petty villain... Fermenting over time, they often ended in consequences even the instigator could never have imagined.

"Wait."

As the two were about to leave Shennong Hall, a voice suddenly came from beside them. Outside, the black-clad cult members drew their steel sabers, a gleaming expanse like a dense net, blocking the entrance. The dozen or so Beggars' Sect disciples were forced into a corner. Those who tried to move immediately received several solid punches.

"Cult Leader Li, what is the meaning of this?"

Chen Youchun slowly turned, frowning at the blue-robed man seated beside the entrance. Though he sensed ill intent, he still refused to believe anyone would dare attack the Beggars' Sect in broad daylight!

Man Zhan hid behind Chen Youchun to watch the show. He wished nothing more than for the Divine Dragon Cult to go mad and kill the young branch master of the Beggars' Sect's Gusu Branch on the spot. That would save West Canal Gate plenty of trouble.

Li Yu looked at the two of them. "Nothing much. Now that official business is finished, it's time to discuss personal matters."

"Does Cult Leader Li wish to keep the young branch master and me for a meal?"

Man Zhan seized the chance to fan the flames.

"I've long heard that Green Willow Manor holds not only fine wine, but beauties too. Don't be stingy, Cult Leader Li. Mistress Fu counts as one. Call out that black-clad, veiled lady friend of yours as well. Share the merriment with the people..."

Whoosh!

Chen Youchun's vision blurred. He sensed only a shadow flashing past his eyes. When he focused again, the sole intact wooden chair was empty. He heard only a sword's whistle, and a chill rose behind him.

This is bad...

Pfft!

A sharp blade sliced through flesh and bone, sending blood spraying high.

Chen Youchun stood dumb as a wooden chicken. His hand loosened, and his round-headed iron pestle fell to the floor. Warm, scarlet liquid slid down from the top of his head and spread everywhere. Terror-stricken, he dared not check whether his head still rested on his neck.

"Aah-!"

"My legs!"

At that piercing scream, Chen Youchun swayed, his soul flying beyond the heavens. He collapsed into the pool of blood covering the floor. A stream of liquid actually spurted from his crotch, its rank stench unbearable as it mingled with the blood.

"So this is the quality of a five-pouch Beggars' Sect disciple? No wonder they fell apart after Qiao Feng left..."

Li Yu stood behind Chen Youchun, wiping his blue-steel sword. While venting his pent-up anger, he had also seen through the man's true nature: a thug who bullied the weak and feared the strong. The cult members, who had originally held the Beggars' Sect in considerable awe, also shed their fear.

"Look, he's so scared he wet himself..."

The Divine Dragon Cult members farther back could not smell it. Even craning their necks, they saw only a wash of red before the threshold.

"Isn't that blood?"

"Then he was so scared he pissed blood."

Li Yu waved a hand, and the cult members cleared the entrance. He smiled. "Courtesy demands reciprocity. Give them a stretcher to take along, too. And pick up the legs. Don't let them stink up our place..."

Having suffered the loss of both legs, Man Zhan had long since passed out.

Chen Youchun left Green Willow Manor in a daze, feeling as though he had walked through the gates of hell. Mockery echoed in his ears. He was a man who cared deeply about face. In the past, even someone giving him the wrong look would suffer retaliation.

Today... he had become desensitized.

In the past, the Beggars' Sect's fame had carried weight throughout the land, and his adoptive father, Tie He, commanded great respect. Who in Gusu would dare provoke him, let alone endanger his life?

In short, throughout the first half of his life, aside from secretly envying Murong Fu... everything had gone smoothly for him. Smoothly in the extreme.

"Heh-heh... heh-heh-heh..."

The Beggars' Sect disciples carried the stretcher, with the two severed legs draped over Man Zhan as well. Hearing their young branch master's crazed laughter, they grew flustered and frightened. They could only keep their heads down and hurry along, not daring to utter another word.

"Li Yu!"

"Li Yu!"

Two or three li later, Chen Youchun suddenly stopped and turned to look toward the manor framed by green willows. His eyes were venomous beyond measure, and a beastlike growl emerged from his throat. "We'll see about this!"

"Ow..."

Just then, Man Zhan, lying on the stretcher, seemed to show signs of waking and let out a series of anguished moans.

Whatever happened, walking would be difficult for him from now on... From this day forth, West Canal Gate had suffered the grievous loss of a master at fanning the flames!