Chapter 84: A Storm Is Brewing

Chapter 84: Mountain Rain Approaching

Within the relay station fifty li north of the Prefecture of Shu.

At the hour ofzi, the clouds dispersed.

The bright moon cast its light, and the rain-washed landscapes of Shu shone with a certain nighttime clarity.

Especially for those martial artists who cultivated their skills, seeing clearly under the moon was not a hardship.

Shen Huaotang, clad in a simple blue robe, her long hair bound behind her, sat atop a tree branch, overlooking the entire relay station with the blade called "Pine Moon" cradled in her arms.

Though this place lay merely two li from the Red River, and beyond it the Prefecture's garrison had their fortifications, one could not be certain that some bandit with a head lodged in his trousers would not take advantage of the darkness.

After all, outside the relay station, no fewer than forty carriages were parked in layers, three stories high in both directions, occupying nearly two mu of ground.

It was beyond Shen Huaotang's control to be inattentive.

In truth, the night watch was not solely her responsibility. The escorting team of the Bao League also had eight men scattered around the area.

At this moment, as the shift changed, another group of eight emerged from the tents outside the caravan.

The leader, a towering figure, wore only a sweat-soaked shirt and sandals, and called out as he stepped forth:

"Old Wu, come rest awhile—it's our turn now."

Three times he called, yet no one responded.

Shen Huaotang's cold face twitched slightly, leapt down from her perch, and strode directly to the caravan's camp, her voice calm:

"Something's happened. Wake everyone up."

The towering man paused, his expression darkening, then shouted back: "Ambush! Ambush! Ambush!!"

His voice boomed through the sleeping tents, jolting the station's residents awake, drawing muttered curses.

The giant did not answer, instead drawing his saber from his waist, squinting into the darkness beyond the relay station.

After a moment, the Bao League's men all emerged from the tents.

A middle-aged man, not particularly stout but weathered by age, scanned the area and asked: "Old Si, where are the enemies?"

The giant shook his head. "Brother, Old Wu and the others haven't responded in ages—they've surely met with misfortune."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's face grew grim, saying nothing further, then waved to several escorts to investigate.

Then he turned to Shen Huaotang: "Has the esteemed lady noticed anything?"

Shen Huaotang tilted her head, her voice cool: "The scent of blood."

Earlier, while in the windward position, she had not detected it, but now, in the leeward spot, she had caught a faint whiff of blood.

Clearly, the giant's words were true—the escorts on night watch had indeed encountered trouble.

The middle-aged man immediately ordered men to light torches and illuminate the area.

Yet before they could prepare, a cry pierced the night from a scout in the distance.

The piercing wail shattered the silence of the dark night, causing the relay station's horses to neigh in alarm.

"Who dares attack our escort? Do they know this cargo belongs to the Xiao family of Count Ding Yuan?!"

The man shouted while waving his arm, signaling the escorts to form a defensive line with the carriages and ready their bows and arrows.

After a moment, a voice came from the side: "Lord Li, you speak falsely—I did not come to attack your escort."

Though the voice was faint, it was crystal clear to all.

Clang—

Before the middle-aged man could reply, a sword ring sounded. Shen Huaotang's long sword was already unsheathed.

A slash to the side, her sword qi like drifting snow mist, sweeping across thirty li.

The attacker was surprised, letting out a hiss: "The Drifting Snow Sword of Tian Shan—rare to meet one such as you."

As he spoke, a blade flash passed by, the sword qi dissipating instantly.

Shen Huaotang merely furrowed her brow, her blade gliding smoothly as she regarded the approaching figure.

It was a young man in a black robe, lean and tall.

Thinking no one would recognize him, he said simply: "Since you know it belongs to the Xiao family, yet still come—you must not be without name or rank."

The young man hoisted his saber to his shoulder, his head held high: "Liu Rong—pleased to meet you, Shen gongniu."

The middle-aged Li's face darkened: "The Knife Madness?"

Liu Rong smiled and nodded: "Not unversed in the ways of southern escorts—still, you have some sense."

Upon this, Li quickly warned Shen: "This fellow is fierce—take care."

Shen said nothing, her eyes fixed on Liu Rong, already recalling some rumors about him.

"Knife Madness" Liu Rong, also known as the "Wild Saber of the Northern Wastes," was renowned for his ferocious, swift saber techniques, a pinnacle among young saberists.

He had even killed the notorious bandit chief "Blood Drop" Huang Qishi, who ruled the northern wastes.

His cultivation was likely at the fifth level of the middle ranks, though his saber techniques—well, that was harder to say.

Thinking of these things, Shen knew this day would not end well, so she took a step forward.

"Lord Li, send men to the Prefecture immediately—these medicines must not be lost."

Before Li could respond, she tapped her toe and stepped across ten li.

With each movement, her sword moved, three strikes in succession.

Her sword qi intertwined, striking toward Liu Rong.

Liu Rong glanced up and down, then tilted his head, a hint of disappointment on his face: "Shen gongniu, your Drifting Snow Sword isn't refined enough."

"The refined technique of the Drifting Snow Sword—only..."

"Cool."

As the word "cool" left his lips, Liu Rong moved.

No fancy steps—just a single, simple advance. His saber dipped and slashed down, the blade aura forming a shape like a wild storm.

One strike, and it scattered all three sword qis.

Shen remained unmoved. Her second step launched her forward, her body closing the gap, her sword tip aimed straight at Liu Rong's wrist.

Liu Rong flipped his saber upward, the edge grazing her sword tip, then stepped forward to meet her with a downward slash.

Shen felt the force transmitted through the saber, realizing his cultivation and technique surpassed hers.

She did not meet force with force, instead leaping aside, her sword whirling in a wide arc, its qi scattering like snowflakes.

Liu Rong sneered: "Soft and weak—no interest, no interest."

Though he said so, his saber moved faster than his words.

In an instant, he struck thirteen slashes in succession. Though his blade remained three cun from his saber, each strike perfectly shattered her sword qi.

It was clear he possessed exceptional eyesight and skill.

Shen was not disheartened. She had already formed a plan, ready to fight and retreat, drawing Liu Rong away from the relay station.

Liu Lang seemed to have no intention of determining victory or defeat, merely following behind without attacking or defending.

Yet his tongue was as sharp as the dagger in his hand, never ceasing to chatter.

"Miss Shen, you only know this one sword technique? That's hardly impressive."

"This swordplay—how did the Tianshan Sect dare let you descend to the world? Quite irresponsible."

"Fortunately, you crossed paths with me. Though the world calls me the 'Knife Fiend,' I’m especially tender-hearted toward beautiful women."

"Hmm, this sword technique has some merit. What’s it called? A single blooming plum?"

"Ha…"

The sound faded into the distance.

Outside the relay station, Li Liangtou clenched his teeth, summoned two guards, and ordered them to ride out to the Shuzhou military garrison for aid.

To his surprise, before the horses had traveled far, a cold wind swept through, slicing both horse and rider in two.

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Four thunderous cracks echoed through the forest.

A hulking man brandishing a blade bellowed, "Who among you, without courage, dares face me in battle?"

No sooner had his words faded than a flute melody began to rise.

The tune was hollow and shifting, high notes piercing, low ones suffocating.

Li Liangtou, upon hearing it, turned pale. "Quick, cover your ears! It’s the Huoyin Sect’s illusionary sound technique!"

Too late—his warning came too late.

Behind him, over a dozen guards already wore grotesque expressions, drawing blades to slash at their comrades.

Some guards with longbows began indiscriminately firing arrows, each shaft slicing through the air toward vital spots.

Only Li Liangtou and three guards of mid-third grade cultivation remained untouched by the flute’s curse.

Though they fought desperately, everything unfolded too swiftly—all the guards perished in just ten breaths.

Li Liangtou, enraged beyond measure, roared, "I’ll kill you all!"

He barreled into the forest without hesitation.

Two more breaths passed.

Li Liangtou and the hulking man slowly withdrew, their throats slit open, blood spraying outward.

They collapsed face-down, their furious expressions frozen in death.

When the clamor subsided, the people inside the station, having heard the noise, scattered in panic, too terrified even to glance outside.

Somewhere beyond, the sound of horse hooves and wagon wheels began to echo.

After a restless minute, the area fell silent once more.

Nearly a incense stick’s time passed before someone, emboldened, poked their head out to peer outside.

Dozens of guards lay scattered in various positions outside the station, their blood pooling on the ground, their deaths grotesque and tragic.

Not a single cart or horse remained.

"So… someone dared to raid the Xiao family’s goods in Shuzhou?"

"Where did these ruthless attackers come from?"

"I think I heard the Knife Fiend Liu Lang and the Huoyin Sect earlier."

"Now Shuzhou will be thrown into chaos."

…

Shuzhou, Xiao Manor, Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi sat quietly in the pavilion, gazing up at the bright moon, waiting in stillness.

When midnight approached, a sudden flash of light:

[By the Red River, the Knife Fiend Liu Lang and the Huoyin Sect slaughtered the escorting Xiao family’s medicinal herb convoy and the Xinwei Guard Corps.]

[Opportunity+1.]

[Evaluation: Before anyone arrived, before the sound was heard, before the scene unfolded, opportunity descended without being seized—this is the nature of the lazy and indolent.]

Chen Yi, expression calm, finished reading and rose toward the wooden structure.

"The Knife Fiend’s strength should surpass Shen Huatan’s… but in truth, it didn’t even fulfill my wish."

He muttered two sentences under his breath, his steps faltering slightly.

Turning his head toward the separated Jixingyuan, he thought he glimpsed the figure of someone clad in white robes.

After a moment of silence, his expression grew stern.

"Ah, the mountain rain is gathering…"

(Chapter Complete)