Chapter 33 Jianghu

"Zhao Tianhai, the Sect Leader of the Golden Blade School, is a figure who has dominated the Jianghu for decades. His Golden Blade Technique is practiced to perfection, so why would he have a grudge against the new Jianghu talent, the Shadowless Spear? Why would they be deciding life and death in Yangzhou?"

"Pfft, in these large Schools, which one doesn't have its share of dirty secrets? It is said that this Shadowless Spear, Lin Chen, is actually Zhao Tianhai's illegitimate son."

"That can't be right. I heard that the Shadowless Spear was born to Zhao Tianhai's childhood sweetheart, but Zhao Tianhai happened to have an Opportunity to save the daughter of the Prefect of Yangzhou, and she took a liking to him," someone retorted.

"Then Zhao Tianhai wanted to marry the official's daughter, but his original wife and children became a problem. So, Zhao Tianhai decided to go all the way. On a dark and windy night, he killed his original wife, children, and their entire household, including his own children!"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's the version I heard too. And I also heard that Lin Chen had two older brothers who were hidden away by Zhao Tianhai's original wife, but Zhao Tianhai doubled back and managed to find all three children."

"Then Zhao Tianhai made the three children perform the ceremonial selection. The eldest brother grabbed a blade, and Zhao Tianhai said he had murderous intent in his heart and would surely be a great threat in the future, so he killed him with one stroke."

"The second brother grabbed a rattle drum, and Zhao Tianhai said that even at such a young age, he knew how to hide his talents and had such deep thoughts that he would surely be a great threat in the future, so he killed him with another stroke!"

"What about Lin Chen? Why didn't he die? Did Zhao Tianhai have a change of heart?" someone asked suspiciously.

"How could a butcher like Zhao Tianhai have a change of heart? Speaking of which, this is truly Karma. Lin Chen also performed the ceremony, and Zhao Tianhai stabbed him in the heart with a blade."

The man stopped there, pausing to take a slow sip of cold tea.

"Oh, Brother Wang, stop keeping us in suspense. Hurry up and tell us. If nothing else, next time we go to Yichun Pavilion, it's on me!"

"That's right. Tell you what, I'll pay for this tea. Brother Wang, hurry up and tell us."

"Alright, alright, alright, you said it yourselves." The Jianghu man surnamed Wang finally put down his teacup with satisfaction and said:

"This Zhao Tianhai was truly ruthless. Fearing that one strike wouldn't be enough to kill them, he stabbed each of the three children in the left and right sides of their hearts, just in case any of them had their hearts on the right side. But hey, guess what!"

"What happened?" the two asked hurriedly.

"Lin Chen's heart was located in the sole of his foot!"

The two men looked at each other, their minds unable to process this for a moment.

Jiang Chen, on the other hand, couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. Even his emotions had been hooked by this Jianghu man surnamed Wang, and he couldn't help but want to hear the second half of the story.

If this guy went to an inn to become a storyteller, he would definitely become popular.

"Slap!"

"Damn! Pockmarked Wang, are you messing with me? Who has a heart in the sole of their foot?"

The two realized what was going on, slammed their palms on the table, and said angrily.

"Hahahaha, I just embellished it a little, but the fact that Zhao Tianhai killed his original wife and children and married into the Prefect's family is absolutely true!"

"Damn it, this Zhao Tianhai is unworthy of being a Jianghu Senior. He is so shameless that he killed his own original wife for wealth and status. He deserves to be killed by everyone!"

"It seems Lin Chen wants to avenge his mother. If he can kill Zhao Tianhai, it will be another great story in the Jianghu. I just don't know if the Prefect of Yangzhou will make a big fuss over this."

"He dares not! Does he really think there are no heroes in the Jianghu?"

"What? Are you going to assassinate the Prefect to avenge the Shadowless Spear?"

"Bullshit, I'm going to splash night-blooming jasmine on his front gate tonight!" the man said aggressively, which earned a round of jeers from the other two.

"Alright, keep your voice down. Be careful of walls having ears. I don't think anyone sitting here is simple," the Jianghu man surnamed Wang warned.

As he spoke, the few of them looked toward Jiang Chen's table as if by telepathy. Coincidentally, Jiang Chen also happened to raise his gaze to look at them, and for a moment, their eyes met.

Jiang Chen revealed a kindly smile. Although these Jianghu men were a bit confused, they still cupped their fists toward Jiang Chen, acknowledging him as a greeting.

Jiang Chen stood up and pushed the untouched side dish toward the little girl opposite him.

Busy all morning and at an age where she was growing, the little girl had not eaten yet and was already extremely hungry. At this moment, looking at the plate of sautéed cucumbers, she subconsciously swallowed her saliva.

However, it was clear that she had been very well taught by her grandfather. She first looked at Jiang Chen, received a smile from him, and then looked at her grandfather, receiving his tacit approval.

Only then did she beam with joy and say to Jiang Chen, "Thank you, big brother."

Then she picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table and began to eat in small bites.

On the other side, the owner of the tea stall reluctantly took out two copper coins from his bosom and walked over to Jiang Chen.

"I am truly sorry, little Daoist. My granddaughter doesn't know the rules and disturbed your leisure. I won't charge you for this side dish."

Jiang Chen shook his head and did not accept it. "Old man, I bought this dish, so I should pay for it. As for giving it to the little girl, that is my own business and has nothing to do with you, so please do not take it to heart."

Having said that, he picked up the dharma sword on the table and strode out of the tea stall.

By now, the weather had cleared, and a brilliant rainbow hung high in the sky, clearly indicating the air was excellent.

And with Jiang Chen's departure, it was as if a signal had been released; people began to leave the tea stall one after another.

Before long, others came from the official road, sat in the tea stall, and the coming and going was bustling.

Jiang Chen walked along the way, and near evening, he finally saw a city ahead.

A high plaque hung above the city gate: Liuhe County.

"Is this the territory of Yangzhou?"

However, at this moment, he also saw familiar faces—those Jianghu people who had been holding forth in the tea stall earlier.

These Jianghu people also saw Jiang Chen, and they were all extremely surprised. They had been traveling non-stop from morning until evening to reach the outskirts of this county town.

Yet this Daoist, relying only on his own two legs, was not the slightest bit slower than them!

"Little Daoist, we meet again. We really have fate," the Jianghu man surnamed Wang took the lead in greeting Jiang Chen.

"Greetings to the three of you. Meeting is fate. Are you all preparing to go and watch the life-and-death battle between the Sect Leader of the Golden Blade School and the Shadowless Spear?"

The three looked at each other.

"Little Daoist, are you also interested in the affair between Zhao Tianhai of the Golden Blade School and the Shadowless Spear, Lin Chen?"

Jiang Chen smiled slightly. "Since descending from the mountain, I have been preparing to travel all the way to Chang'an. Hearing the three of you mention this on the way, I have some interest in witnessing it. I wonder if it would be convenient for you?"

Only then did they realize that although they had prided themselves on speaking quietly so no one could hear, their conversation had long been clearly overheard by someone else.

While their faces felt a bit hot, the three hurriedly said, "Convenient, it's convenient! If the little Daoist wants to go with us to watch the showdown between Zhao Tianhai and Lin Chen, then just travel with us."