Chapter 356: The Long Sword Slays the Enemy

Just as he was about to dodge, he caught sight of Hall Master Qiu’s intrigued gaze. He couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Dressed in his long robe, he naturally had no fear. What harm could a bit of silver possibly do? So, he pretended not to know martial arts, feigning ignorance about how to evade. He simply reached out to grab it. In the blink of an eye, the silver coin was already at Zhang Xiaohua’s chest, seemingly about to strike him. But suddenly, it arced downward, falling straight to the ground in front of Zhang Xiaohua. His hand, of course, grasped nothing but air. “So, he’s even skilled with hidden weapons!”

Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but grow a bit wary.

With a cheerful smile, he bent down to pick up the silver from the ground and slipped it into his robe, saying: “Master, aren’t you just curious about what’s in the cart? It’s nothing but two hundred catties of rice that the city’s garrison captain’s brother-in-law ordered from our village last time. I just borrowed the cart to deliver it to the city.”

“I see.” Jiang Heshu said, clearly disappointed.

But Hall Master Qiu pressed further: “So, there’s only rice in the cart? Nothing else? For example, any people?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and replied: “How could there be anyone? Master, you must be joking.”

Hall Master Qiu’s expression suddenly darkened. “But just now, as I passed by your cart, I distinctly heard a woman’s voice coming from inside.”

Zhang Xiaohua’s face changed as well. After a moment’s thought, he gritted his teeth and said: “Master, you must keep this a secret for me. To tell the truth, there are indeed two women in the cart. But they are the garrison captain’s and his brother-in-law’s sweethearts. They met in our village, and this time, they hitched a ride with me to Danhe City. I know both the captain and his brother-in-law are henpecked men and don’t want to get mixed up in such matters. But the women threatened me, if I didn’t give them a ride, they’d never let me deliver grain to the city again. I’m truly innocent in all this.”

Listening to the two people’s obviously heavy breathing from inside the cart, Zhang Xiaohua felt a surge of secret delight in his heart.

Although Zhang Xiaohua’s act was quite convincing, Hall Master Qiu clearly had no intention of letting him off. He simply smiled and said: “I’ve actually met the garrison captain of Danhe City once or twice and know a bit about his tastes. Why don’t you let me have a look at his sweetheart? That way, I can follow his example and win his favor in the future. What do you say, little brother?”

Zhang Xiaohua put on a troubled expression. “How could that be appropriate? No, no, that wouldn’t do.”

As he spoke, he unconsciously rubbed his fingers together.

Hall Master Qiu chuckled, pulled out another ingot of silver from his robe, and tossed it to Zhang Xiaohua. Zhang Xiaohua caught it with ease and grinned: “Since you’re a friend of the captain, of course, you can have a look. Hehe, just wait a moment, I’ll have them come down.”

With that, he turned and walked back to the cart, stood beside Huanhuan, pulled back the curtain, and smiled: “Gentlemen, please take a look.”

When Hall Master Qiu, still smiling, saw that inside the cart were Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, now dressed as village girls, his smile froze on his face. He shouted: “It’s… It’s them! Men, seize them!”

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were both nervous and blushing, never expecting Zhang Xiaohua would actually pull back the curtain. Seeing the five men all armed with long swords, fear gripped their hearts.

Before Hall Master Qiu could finish his order, Zhang Xiaohua laughed and said: “Hall Master Qiu, I’ve answered your questions, and let you see the people. The silver, then, is mine.”

Then, he casually picked up a long sword from Huanhuan’s back and said coldly: “But you’ve blocked my way, and even saw through my ruse. How can I show my face now? You’ve made me lose face in front of these young ladies, this is a grave offense. Come, come, come! Take my sword first, and we’ll talk after!”

With that, he pressed down lightly with his right foot, activating his levitation technique. His body soared high into the air, rising even higher than Hall Master Qiu, who was still on horseback. At the same time, he raised the long sword high and brought it down forcefully toward Hall Master Qiu.

Hall Master Qiu was shocked by Zhang Xiaohua’s lightness skill, but when he saw the flaws in his swordsmanship, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly: “A sword is meant for thrusting, never for chopping.”

With that, he casually raised his own sword to block the attack.

But at the very instant the two swords met, a weight as heavy as Mount Tai crashed down through the blade. Hall Master Qiu immediately drew a deep breath, mustering all his inner strength to withstand the oppressive force. Yet how could he possibly bear such a crushing weight, as if ten thousand catties pressed down upon him? With a sharp crack, the treasured sword in his hand snapped cleanly in two. Zhang Xiaohua’s long sword, its momentum undiminished, struck squarely upon Hall Master Qiu’s shoulder. There was a dull thud; flesh and blood were smashed to a pulp, half of his chest caving in. It was clear at a glance that he would not survive. At the same time, the fine steed beneath him let out a mournful neigh, its legs buckling as it collapsed to the ground. Then, with a gentle tap of his sword upon the horse’s head, Zhang Xiaohua silenced the beast, which lay still and lifeless.

The power of Zhang Xiaohua’s sword left everyone present utterly dumbfounded.

Indeed, Nie Qianyu and Little Orange had first felt shame and anger, then fear. But now, seeing the ordinary youth who had traveled with them for days soar into the air like a celestial being, and with one stroke slay a formidable martial artist atop his horse, such force that even the steed was brought to its knees, how could this be human? In that instant, the same thought flashed through both their minds: “An immortal!”

After that, under the stunned gazes of Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, Zhang Xiaohua showed no mercy. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he sprang toward another man, the tip of his sword aimed straight at the man’s chest. The man, not knowing what to do, tried to dodge, but Zhang Xiaohua’s lightness skill was simply too profound. Before the thought could even form in the man’s mind, the sword had already tapped his chest. With just a light touch, the man’s chest caved in, and he spat blood as he toppled from his horse. Zhang Xiaohua then kicked off the horse’s back, borrowing the force to shoot toward yet another foe like an arrow. The horse, struck with deliberate force, collapsed and did not rise again.

In just a few moments, five living martial experts and their five fine steeds all lay sprawled across the road. Zhang Xiaohua glanced left and right, returned the long sword to Huanhuan’s back, and, without the slightest effort, tidied up the aftermath. Flinging the bodies far into the woods by the roadside. Only then did he clap his hands and return to the cart.

At this point, Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were completely petrified. They stared at the familiar yet now utterly unfamiliar Zhang Xiaohua, eyes burning with a complex mix of awe and fear. They seemed to want to say something, but were still lost in the shock of the bloodshed. Zhang Xiaohua ignored them, let down the curtain, sat cross-legged atop the cart, and with a slap to Huanhuan’s rump, sent the horse trotting merrily down the road once more.

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange only heard Zhang Xiaohua mutter to himself: “Is this carriage I bought really so shoddy? Can it only last for half a day? Had I known, I’d have kept that fellow alive to fix it for me, then taken his life!”

With a clatter, the two girls tumbled about in the cart, at a loss for words.

Fortunately, they were already quite close to Danhe City, and the road had become much smoother. With Zhang Xiaohua urging the mule on as fast as he could, they finally arrived at Danhe City before sunset, just as the cart was about to give out.

This city was even larger than Pingyang City. Its prosperity was evident from the bustling crowds. Zhang Xiaohua, driving his battered cart, showed no sign of a pauper’s self-consciousness. He took the main avenue straight through the city gates, right down the center. Whether it was due to the city guards’ negligence, the encroaching dusk, or simply the overwhelming flow of people, no one stopped Zhang Xiaohua or gave him any trouble.

Now that they were safely inside, Zhang Xiaohua finally relaxed. Though Nie Qianyu’s pursuers were martial artists, they were still no match for the power of the authorities. In this city, the government’s influence reigned supreme; even the boldest of Jianghu figures would think twice before causing trouble. So Zhang Xiaohua didn’t bother seeking out some secluded inn-instead, he tried a few at random, but none were satisfactory, so he drove the rickety cart onward.

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were puzzled. There were clearly several inns with vacant courtyards where they could have stayed, yet Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and moved on each time. The shock he’d given them earlier was so profound that not only had they dared not speak to him along the way, even now they remained wary and silent.

At last, Nie Qianyu couldn’t hold back any longer and asked: “Big…Hero Ren just now, there were inns with courtyards available. Why didn’t you stop at any of them?”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced back at her and replied coolly: “Of the silver Little Orange gave me, only three coins remain. The cheapest of those inns wanted at least five. With so little silver, how could we possibly stay? If you ask me, we’d best settle for a common room.”

Nie Qianyu frowned. “Hero Ren, didn’t that Hall Master earlier give you two silver ingots? That should be several dozen taels. How can you say it’s not enough?”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled: “Miss Nie, you’re mistaken. Those two silver ingots were given to me, not to you. Since I’m helping you find an inn, shouldn’t you be the ones paying the bill?”

“You…” Nie Qianyu was at a loss for how to respond to this young man, who, despite his extraordinary martial skills, was so meticulous when it came to money.

From the back, Little Orange muttered softly: “Cheapskate.”

After speaking, she rummaged around for a bit, then tossed out a jade-green pouch. “This is my lady’s purse, there’s some gold inside. Spend as you see fit.”

A few days ago, she would have surely added, “Whatever’s left, you can keep.”

But today, she dared not say such a thing aloud, only secretly grumbling in her heart.

Zhang Xiaohua reached out and took the purse, opened it for a look, and smiled broadly: “Miss Nie, you’re the stingy one. If you’d brought this out sooner, I wouldn’t have had to run around so much.”

He then slipped it naturally into his robe.

With money in hand, things were much easier. There was no need to search further; he simply picked the cleanest of the inns they’d already visited and settled in.

That night, however, was rather quiet. Nie Qianyu and Little Orange no longer dared to joke with Zhang Xiaohua or boss him around as they had before. Zhang Xiaohua, for his part, was dutiful as ever, not letting the inn staff enter the courtyard and personally bringing in the food and other necessities. Only then did the two girls feel somewhat at ease.

Once the two young ladies were settled, Zhang Xiaohua closed his door and sat in silent meditation in the dark, cultivating his skills.

In the small room next door, the two girls couldn’t hold back any longer and began whispering to each other in hushed tones.

Ps: When should you use a longsword? When courting girls, of course. It looks so cool!