Chapter 277: Credential Knife Seller

Chapter 277: The Credit Knife Man

Li Huowang’s previous guess had been correct—there was no ghost stealing life roots after all. It was merely a rumor spread by the Sect of Forgetfulness, and the beggar before him from the Heavenly Observing Bureau had chosen a method entirely different from Li Huowang's.

“Is it really necessary? Is it really necessary to act so convincingly?” Li Huowang pointed with his finger toward the several corpses killed by the one-eyebrow man.

“This is a trap set by the Sect of Forgetfulness. How can we not play it true? Do you think they’ll believe us just because we casually mention it? Besides, I watched them kill those people myself. They were just ordinary civilians.”

Li Huowang felt a chill run through his heart at these words. Why did he speak so calmly about such things? Were all the people in the Heavenly Observing Bureau like this?

To say that Li Huowang was deeply indignant at seeing these dead bodies would be an overstatement. What truly concerned him was how this man operated—his actions made Li Huowang’s guard rise significantly.

“From now on, when dealing with this person, I must be extra cautious. I don’t want to end up like those civilians who were used as props in a performance today.”

Seeing Li Huowang standing silently, the one-eyebrow beggar spoke first. “I am Hong Da, the credit knife man. Pleased to meet you.”

Credit knife man—this was the first time Li Huowang had heard such a term. If taken literally, it meant someone who lent others knives on credit.

But for someone serving as a minor official in the Heavenly Observing Bureau, these three words could not possibly mean their literal meaning—they must carry deeper significance.

“Credit knife man?”

“That’s right. I am indeed a credit knife man without any sect or faction. Haha, True Man, would you like to take a loan on a blade?”

Hong Da pulled open his tattered robe, revealing a chaotic collection of various blades beneath.

These blades were old, many covered in rust, and their edges were bent and chipped. That was also why Li Huowang had failed to wound him with his Purple-Sheaf Sword earlier.

Yet this also proved that these weren’t just broken or rusty blades—rusty or dull blades couldn’t withstand the weapons of warriors.

“Heh, True Man, do you want to take a loan on a blade?”

As Hong Da asked again, a broken blade, its edge pointing forward, was thrust toward Li Huowang. A trace of anticipation appeared on Hong Da’s face.

“If you lend me this blade, when will I return it?”

“Since it’s borrowed, when the time comes to repay it, it will naturally come back.” Hong Da said this, yet it seemed as though he had said nothing at all.

Li Huowang pondered for a moment, then slowly reached out toward the blade, whose rust-colored surface gleamed red. His eyes remained locked on the other’s expression.

Just as the red rust touched his hand, he quickly retracted it. “No need. I already have enough weapons.”

“Ah well, fine, fine. If you won’t take it, I won’t press. Since the matter in Pi County is settled, farewell, Elder Erjiu. We’ll meet again someday.”

With regret, Hong Da retrieved the blade, bowed to Li Huowang, and walked toward the exit of the mortuary.

Just as his hand gripped the brass handle of the wooden door, a blood-stained fingernail flew through the air and embedded itself directly into the wood.

“Wait a moment. I’ve heard the Heavenly Observing Bureau pays well for its work. Since I’ve gotten involved in the matter in Pi County, shouldn’t I also get a share of the reward?”

Looking at the crescent-shaped gap in the door where blood seeped out, Hong Da asked with a hint of surprise, “Oh? And if I refuse to give it?”

The atmosphere in the mortuary instantly turned tense.

But with Li Huowang’s next words, the tension vanished in an instant. “Fine, I suppose I can do the same. Take me into the Heavenly Observing Bureau, and we’ll call it even.”

Hong Da turned around, clearly surprised by this offer. “Really? Alright then. Though you’ll go with me to the Ministry of Rites, and I’ll register you under Ji Xiang’s name.”

“Going to the Ministry of Rites?” Upon hearing this, Li Huowang immediately rejected it. If he went to their headquarters, and they discovered him, he’d be finished.

“It’s too far. I have urgent matters. Let’s try another way. I’ve heard the Heavenly Observing Bureau can operate independently, right?”

After listening to Li Huowang, Hong Da thought for a while, then nodded. “Alright then. I’ll speak to the higher-ups. Don’t go looking for them yourself. If they agree, they’ll come find you.”

“No worries. We’ve worked together once or twice. I’ll speak well of you.”

With that, Hong Da pushed open the door and stepped outside. Once he reached the bustling street, he picked up a large ceramic head doll from the ground and placed it over his head.

From his waist, he pulled out a fan almost reduced to just its handle, which he began fanning his face with as he strode toward the outskirts of Pi County.

When he finally left the lively town behind, the surrounding area grew quiet once more, and the chirping of insects in the heat returned.

After walking for another half day, he tossed the head doll into a nearby grove and said, “Elder Erjiu, you needn’t follow me anymore. If I were truly from the Sect of Forgetfulness, this matter wouldn’t be so easily resolved.”

Li Huowang emerged from the woods beside him, bowed slightly, and turned toward Pi County.

Only after watching Li Huowang’s figure disappear into the lights did Hong Da speak. “What do you think?”

A sound of leaves being stepped on came from the nearby forest. A plump man with a red drum tied around his waist and green clothes, his cheeks flushed, emerged from the shadows. On his shoulder was a red-tied ball, supported by a stick—a dragon pearl used to lure the dragon dance.

“Unwise. This man acts suspiciously, his background unknown. You said you’d bring him to Ji Xiang, but he refused to go. There’s still a chance he might be from the Sect of Forgetfulness.”

The voice underneath the ceramic head doll was surprisingly young and soft, completely mismatched with his bulky body.

Hong Da instinctively crouched down, and metal clinked loudly from his clothing. “I think he’s not from the Sect of Forgetfulness. Their tricks aren’t so clumsy.”

The oversized head doll slowly turned, its black eyes fixed on Hong Da. “What if the Sect of Forgetfulness knew we’d think that and acted accordingly?”

“Besides, their leaders have died twice recently. They probably won’t come back to cause trouble.”

The head doll didn’t move, but continued repeating, “What if the Sect of Forgetfulness knew we’d think that and acted accordingly?”

Hong Da glanced at him impatiently. “Enough! I don’t have time for your jokes.”

The head doll turned its head to look toward Pi County in the distance. “He carries a bronze sword of the Luo Sect on his back, and another wrapped in cloth, which emits the aura of military weapons. He also used secret techniques of the Ao Jing Sect. Strange… very strange.”

Hong Da nodded in agreement. “Though odd, this kid seems strong. Even if he is from the Sect of Forgetfulness, he can still serve as a tool.”

“And then?”

Facing his companion’s question, Hong Da narrowed his eyes slightly, rubbing his chin with his index finger. “Then... we use him and see what happens.”

(End of Chapter)