99: Boss Joe

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Lin Fei and Xiao Lan traveled north, encountering many diverse Jianghu figures along the way who also had the Mount Hua Sword Competition as their goal.

There were elegant Young Masters with precious swords hanging at their waists and robes as white as snow.

There were also high-ranking Shaolin monks holding Zen staves with solemn expressions.

And even more, there were wandering Jianghu recluses with gourds on their backs and hazy, drunken eyes.

This two-day experience of Transmigration into an ancient world gave his entire being a refreshing sensation.

However, aside from the local NPCs, Lin Fei also encountered quite a few players who had arrived through Transmigration just like him.

While resting at a teahouse, there was a group of players wearing matching outfits and carrying all sorts of bizarre weapons.

They gathered together to discuss the tasks of this world and how to stand out in the Mount Hua Sword Competition, completely unaware that a true big shot was sitting at the table next to them.

"The Internal Skill and martial arts of this world can actually be taken out!"

"Yeah! Even if we don't make it into the Five Supreme, collecting a few more Cultivation Technique manuals is still a profit."

"I'm planning to take out some porcelain vases; maybe I can sell them as antiques?"

"Idiot, do you think it's still the old days? Antiques are useless; you need Magical Artifacts with special effects to fetch a good price."

"That's true."

"I've wanted to learn the Nine Swords of Dugu and the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms since I was a kid. Now it seems like that wish might actually come true here! The Killing World is truly a wondrous place!"

"Pfft, what are you dreaming about? Those peerless martial arts aren't easy to get! It'd be good enough if we could just get our hands on some techniques from a second-rate School."

"What are you afraid of? We have guns, guns!"

"Do you think this is the Ip Man world? This is a Wuxia world."

"Don't underestimate the heroes here. These are experts that only exist in TV shows; they can split bullets with Saber Qi. My teammate who came in with me suffered because of that."

"I wonder if there are any special rewards for the 'Five Supreme' title in this Mount Hua Sword Competition. Could there be epic-level skill books?"

Lin Fei listened to the players' discussion and just smiled faintly.

He was not the only "Outworld Heavenly Demon" in this world.

Besides him, there were quite a few other players who had entered this [Sword Roars in Jianghu] trial world at the entrance of the tenth-floor Node Tower.

Their goal was also that title of the Five Supreme.

It seems this Mount Hua Sword Competition won't be too boring.

...

Mount Hua, anciently known as the Western Peak, is famous for its steepness.

Its mountain range is magnificent, with cliffs rising a thousand fathoms; since ancient times, it has been a place contested by strategists and a Holy Land yearned for by countless Martial Forest figures.

At this moment, a small town at the foot of Mount Hua was already overcrowded with bustling traffic.

Inns and taverns, big and small, were almost all packed to capacity.

On the streets, Jianghu figures carrying sabers and swords could be seen everywhere, coming from all corners of the land, with the banners of major Schools fluttering in the wind.

The air was filled with a sense of tension and excitement before a great battle.

"Eh! An Inn!" Xiao Lan's grandfather exclaimed in surprise.

"It really is 'An Inn'!" Lin Fei looked at the name and smiled knowingly.

The three of them arrived at the inn's main hall. Lin Fei tossed a silver ingot to the other party, ordered some side dishes, and prepared to take the opportunity to gather some information.

The main hall was packed, with not a single empty seat.

Jianghu slang in various accents rose and fell, and the focus of the discussion was, without exception, the upcoming Mount Hua Sword Competition.

"Have you heard? For this Mount Hua Sword Competition, besides our heroes and gallants from the Central Plains, even some mysterious forces from the Western Regions, Southern Borders, and even overseas have sent people!"

"Indeed! Just the Hero Invitation Cards alone, over a thousand have been issued! I fear the peak of Mount Hua will be packed to bursting!"

"I wonder which five will eventually surpass all the heroes and claim the title of 'Five Supreme'!"

"Need you ask? Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern Emperor, Northern Beggar, Central Divine Ability! Oh wait, that was the previous generation... For this generation, I favor Sect Leader Dongfang Bai of Black Wood Cliff; his 'Sunflower Manual' is said to have been practiced to the Transcendent realm, mysterious and unfathomable!"

"Hmph, no matter how powerful the Sunflower Manual is, can it compare to the Beggar Clan's Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms? Qiao Gang Leader is a hero without peer, righteous to the heavens; I believe the position of Northern Beggar belongs to him!"

Just as everyone was arguing intensely, a hearty laugh suddenly came from the entrance of the inn.

"Hahaha! I am grateful for the regard of my Jianghu peers, but I, Qiao, am unworthy of such praise!"

Before the words had faded, a burly, middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and an imposing manner walked in with a dragon-like stride.

Following him were seven or eight Beggar Clan Disciples, dressed plainly but with sharp gazes and temples bulging high.

It was none other than the Beggar Clan Leader, Qiao Qiao!

As soon as Qiao Qiao entered the main hall, his gaze swept quickly across the crowd. When he saw Xiao Lan and the old man sitting in the corner, his eyes brightened slightly, and he walked straight over.

"Old Hero Huang, Xiao Lan, I didn't expect to find you here."

"Brother Qiao!!"

Xiao Lan was very excited, and then she briefly recounted what had happened that day.

She also introduced Lin Fei to Qiao Qiao.

"To think such a thing happened! It was my lack of consideration before. Brother Lin, thank you for your righteous aid back then."

Qiao Qiao said in a resounding voice, cupping his hands in a salute.

Lin Fei nodded: "Qiao Gang Leader is too polite; it was just a small effort."

Qiao Qiao laughed heartily, pulled over a stool, and sat opposite Lin Fei with an imposing posture. "Old Hero Huang and I are friends across generations. Those two Hero Invitation Cards were things I had entrusted someone to pass on to him. I didn't expect them to be coveted by thieves, but thanks to Brother Lin!"

The Beggar Clan Disciples behind him also cupped their hands in salute to Lin Fei, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

"So that's how it is."

Lin Fei suddenly understood. No wonder the old man said the Hero Invitation Cards were a gift from an old friend; it turned out this old friend was the famous Qiao Gang Leader.

"Brother Lin, there are too many eyes and ears here. Why not come to my Beggar Clan manor for a chat?"

Lin Fei sized up Qiao Qiao. It was clear that this person was the Beggar Clan leader designed by the Killing World, using Qiao Feng from Jin Yong's Wuxia novels as a template.

Whether it was his heroic spirit or his righteousness.

It was exactly the same as that person.

Lin Fei was also puzzled: why not just call him Qiao Feng?

What, Killing World, are you afraid of copyright infringement too?

"Then thank you."

Qiao Qiao was a man of great righteousness and open-mindedness, a hero worth befriending.

Moreover, the Beggar Clan Disciples were spread across the world and were well-informed; perhaps they could help him gain something.

"That's great!" Qiao Qiao was overjoyed to hear this.

...

Night fell, and the moon was dark and the wind high.

The Beggar Clan's branch located at the foot of Mount Hua was less of a branch and more of a huge manor built against the mountain, with flying eaves and brightly lit halls.

Inside the manor, the Beggar Clan Disciples were busy preparing a dinner party, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and fine wine.

Lin Fei came by invitation and was treated as an honored guest by Qiao Qiao.

After three rounds of drinks and tasting the dishes.

Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was lively.

A sudden change occurred!

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several sharp sounds of breaking through the air came from the pitch-black night sky outside the manor!

Immediately following were the muffled groans of sharp blades entering flesh, as well as the panicked shouts of the Beggar Clan Disciples!

"Enemy attack!"

"Someone has broken into the manor!"

Qiao Qiao's expression changed. He stood up abruptly, his gaze sweeping toward the outside of the manor as sharp as a hawk.

"What kind of petty thieves dare to break into my Beggar Clan branch at night!"

He roared angrily and prepared to rush out.

However, the moment he took a step, he felt his True Qi stagnate, his hands and feet went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Not good! The wine is poisoned!"

Qiao Qiao was greatly alarmed and quickly tried to circulate his energy to resist, only to find that the poison was exceptionally fierce, causing seven or eight out of ten parts of his deep Internal Energy to vanish!

Not just him, the other Beggar Clan Elders and Disciples present also collapsed to the ground one after another, their faces turning black; it was clear they had all been poisoned with the same potent toxin.

"Hahaha! Qiao Gang Leader, your good days have come to an end!"

An effeminate, shrill, and hair-raising laugh came from the entrance of the manor.