Chapter 39: Blood-Stained Jasmine (Part 1)

Qinglin Town, nestled less than two hundred kilometers west of Flow Cloud City, though remote in terrain, its residents are not few, and occasionally travelers pass through. It also serves as a vital route from Flow Cloud City to New Moon City.

The scorching sun had cracked the earth, making tempers flare easily among the people. At that moment, a procession of six individuals appeared on the town’s street. The first, tall and broad-shoulded, wore silver-white armor, his shoulder armed with a bronze cleaver nearly a meter and a half in length. His face was grim, eyes sharp and menacing. The two men behind him wore animal-skin robes, each wielding a knife, sword, or hammer.

Their arrival caused the town’s atmosphere to tense instantly, with passersby hastening to the sides, their steps cautious, faces fearful. Yet when the six entered the small tavern, the tension eased, and they departed swiftly.

BANG! The massive cleaver, nearly as tall as an adult, was split cleanly through the largest table in the tavern’s center by the silver-armored giant, who then roared, “This table’s mine! Those who don’t want to die—get out!”

The four drinking at the table, upon seeing the giant’s face, flushed pale and muttered apologies, retreating without a word. The giant’s thick arm swept across the table, scattering broken cups and plates with a shrill crash. “Bring me the finest wine and dishes you’ve got!” he bellowed.

The landlord, having personally greeted them, winced at the scattered glass and dishes, yet smiled solemnly, “My lords of the Silver Dragon—please take a moment. Your feast shall be ready shortly.”

These six souls belonged to the renowned Silver Dragon Mercenary Corps of Qinglin Town, their leader, Ling Xuan, known as “Silver Dragon,” a man in his forties with a nascent spiritual power reaching the true second level. In Qinglin Town, where such power was rare, he was an unchallenged force. The Silver Dragon Corps thus became the most formidable mercenary group, ruling unopposed.

When the six took their seats, the five others began fawning over them—laughing, boasting, and cursing filled the tavern. Such rowdy behavior was routine here. The surrounding patrons, fearing Ling Xuan’s reputation, said nothing.

At that moment, five more figures appeared at the tavern’s entrance. The leader, a young man in his twenties, tall and well-dressed in luxurious attire, scanned the room with disdain, as though sizing up insects. He scoffed, slouching his shoulders.

Behind him, a handsome youth of seventeen or eighteen bowed politely, “Lord Xiao, such a humble tavern—no decent establishment within a hundred miles. We’ll make do.”

These five were Xiao Chunghuang, Xiao Mo Shan, Xiao Ba, Xiao Jiu, and Xiao Chenghzhi, returning from Flow Cloud City to the Xiao sect. Xiao Chenghzhi chattered excitedly, eager to return to the Xiao clan, laughing even in his sleep. Before Xiao Chunghuang, he bowed deeply, fawning, “Forgive my haste, my lord. I’ll serve you well.”

“Hmph!” Xiao Chunghuang scoffed, flicking his nose. He glanced at the Silver Dragon group and entered.

Xiao Chenghzhi rushed ahead, claiming the best seat, wiping the wooden stool with his sleeve, then grinning sycophantically at Xiao Chunghuang, “Host! Bring the finest dishes at once!”

As Xiao Chunghuang’s group entered, the Silver Dragon mercenaries fixed their gaze on them. One sneered, “That brat’s got guts, staring us down like we’re insects. Pah!”

“Probably some minor lord’s son out for a stroll. Looks soft enough to squeeze a lemon. But daring to swagger in our territory—how does he plan to write his death certificate?”

“Big brother, should I teach them a lesson? Show them whose ground this is? Let them learn proper behavior, regardless of their birth.”

SMACK!

Ling Xuan slammed his half-eaten chicken leg on the table, seized his cleaver, and strode toward Xiao Chunghuang’s table. Three paces away, he swung the blade, splitting the table with a savage cry, “Boy! That outfit’s nice, but you’re wasting it. Strip it off right now!”

“Strip it? Hurry up!”

“If you won’t, we’ll help you take it off.”

“If our boss peels it for you, it won’t be so gentle, ha ha ha!” The Silver Dragon subordinates heckled, and the tavern’s patrons avoided them, pitying Xiao Chunghuang’s group. The landlord and server cowered behind the counter, too afraid to intervene.

To everyone’s shock, Xiao Chunghuang’s group remained calm—too calm. Xiao Chunghuang flicked his sleeve, brushing off spilled wine, then coldly declared, “All of it—destroyed.”

“What? Destroyed?”

“He said destroy us all! Ha ha ha—AH!”

The Silver Dragon’s mocking laughter turned to ear-splitting screams. Xiao Ba’s body shot forward like lightning, slamming the three loudest men through the door with a “crack,” their bones splintering.

Ling Xuan’s smile vanished. He stumbled back, eyes wide with terror, “Spiritual… Profound Realm!”

The words “Spiritual Profound Realm” boomed like thunder, shaking the tavern. Such a realm—only found in sects or great cities—was beyond Qinglin Town’s reach, let alone imagination.

Ling Xuan’s words barely left his lips before his two subordinates were sent flying by Xiao Ba’s palm, crashing to the ground unconscious. Ling Xuan trembled, then collapsed in a crumpled heap, pounding the floor: “I… I’m sorry… I’m blind to the profound… I… I’m doomed… I’m doomed!”

Had they known their opponent was a Spiritual Profound Realm master, they’d never dared challenge him.

“Destroyed.” Xiao Chunghuang’s voice cut through the chaos.

His hand swept down, severing Ling Xuan’s arms mid-scream.

At that instant, a youth appeared at the tavern’s door.

After leaving Flow Cloud City, Cloud Che had no clear destination. Remembering the wooden card Xiao Hai had given him, he sought clues, heading toward New Moon City, where greater resources might restore his broken spiritual root. Weak and starving, his few spiritual coins were too precious to spend on a horse, so he walked until exhaustion. In Qinglin Town, he stumbled upon the tavern, counted his remaining coins, and sighed, entering.

He paused at the door, hearing a blood-curdling scream. Following the sound, he saw Xiao Chunghuang and Xiao Mo Shan seated, and Xiao Chenghzhi standing nearby. His foot halted, then turned sharply away. In that instant, Xiao Ba, having just severed Ling Xuan’s arms, looked toward the door, his face paling.

“Landlord! Evict these pests at once!” Xiao Chunghuang barked. “They’ve ruined my appetite.”

“Y-yes, yes!” The landlord, trembling, nodded, and the server dragged the Silver Dragon mercenaries outside. Ling Xuan, a true second-level Spiritual Profound Realm cultivator, was untouchable in Qinglin Town. The seemingly arrogant youth’s subordinates were far stronger than he dared admit.

“Lord Xiao,” Xiao Ba whispered beside him.

“Hm? That Xiao sect’s discarded brat?” Xiao Chunghuang’s eyes narrowed, then curled into a cold smile. “Good. I’d almost forgotten about him. Since the heavens sent him—Xiao Ba, destroy his face. Make him scream.”

“The Patriarch forbids abusing power outside the sect,” Xiao Mo Shan said flatly.

“Hmph. That brat humiliated me publicly in the Xiao sect. Leaving him alive in Flow Cloud City was already merciful. Xiao Ba—ruin his reputation, then cut out his tongue. He can’t speak well anyway, can he?” Xiao Chunghuang’s voice dripped venom.

That day in the Xiao sect, Cloud Che had exposed his lies, each word a slap. He’d never forgiven him. To destroy Cloud Che’s face was pure envy—envy that this waste had won Summer Qingyue, something he could never claim.

Xiao Mo Shan said no more. Xiao Ba nodded silently, then exited the tavern, moving swiftly toward Cloud Che.