The masked man was, of course, Su Muyu. He had considered bypassing the need for a Peerless Token and simply forcing his way through with his sword, but he worried that such a direct approach would lead to him being overwhelmed by sheer numbers before he could reach Wushuang City. That’s why he had sought out Tianxia House.
“Wushuang City stands behind Tianxia House. People from within Wushuang City secretly provide Peerless Tokens to Tianxia House to handle. Tianxia House uses these tokens to collect substantial fees, which are then split equally between them and Wushuang City,” the Anhe Guild spy had told Su Muyu.
Su Muyu tucked the Peerless Token into his clothes and mounted his horse, silently sighing: Wushuang City has become so corrupt that they’re using a gambling house to collect private profits – no wonder their standing in the martial world diminishes by the day. Just as he was about to ride away, the short, stout man came running out of Tianxia House.
“What is it?” Su Muyu frowned.
The stout man caught his breath before saying quietly, “There are checkpoints along the way. Tell them you ordered a Soul-Hunting Crossbow from the Yuexia Smithy in Wushuang City, and you’re here to collect it.”
“Understood.” Su Muyu nodded. Wushuang City wasn’t just a martial arts sect; true to its name, it was also a city. The martial city contained various shops, with weapon smithies being the most common.
“Guest, please don’t mention what happened here to anyone,” the stout man reminded him.
“Even without mentioning it, everyone already knows. You’re just covering your ears while stealing a bell, keeping yourselves in peaceful ignorance. Don’t worry.” Su Muyu cracked his whip and galloped forward.
The stout man stood there, wiping his sweat: “This young master seems to be looking for trouble with Wushuang City…”
As Su Muyu rode on, he encountered the first checkpoint where a group of Wushuang City disciples sat in a pavilion eating watermelon. Their leader appeared to be in his twenties, quite handsome, with a spear beside him. He was cheerfully urging others to join in eating, including the two guards originally stationed there. Su Muyu halted his horse outside the checkpoint, unsure whether to ride through or greet the guards.
“Brothers…” Su Muyu hesitated before speaking.
“This watermelon is really sweet!” The group ignored him, focused on discussing their fruit.
“Of course it is. I especially had it transported from Nan’an City,” the man with the spear said proudly.
Nan’an City. Su Muyu smiled slightly at these words and was about to ride through. However, the two guards suddenly put down their watermelons and stood up: “Who dares to charge through Wushuang City’s checkpoint?”
Su Muyu quickly pulled his reins: “My apologies. When I saw you brothers were too occupied to acknowledge me, I took the liberty. I have a Peerless Token, and I’m here to collect a Soul-Hunting Crossbow I ordered from the Yuexia Smithy in Wushuang City.”
“Wrong, wrong!” One guard stood up, shaking his head repeatedly.
Su Muyu froze, wondering if the Tianxia House person had given him incorrect information. Maintaining his composure, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Show the Peerless Token first, then enter Wushuang territory. You’ve already crossed three horse-lengths before showing your token,” the guard waved his hand. “Wrong order.”
Su Muyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He rode back and showed the token: “May I pass now?”
“Can a dead person stand up? Can a tree made into a boat be replanted? Can rice made into porridge be used for fried rice? Wrong, wrong!” the guard said impatiently.
Su Muyu suppressed his anger: “Then may I ask, brother, what is the correct way?”
The guard grinned: “Three horse-lengths, one thousand taels per length, three thousand taels total!”
Three thousand taels wasn’t a small sum, though it wasn’t difficult for the current Su Muyu. If Su Changhe were here, he might have thrown thirty thousand taels in the guard’s face. But something stirred in Su Muyu’s mind, and he shook his head: “Brother, you jest. Even my ordered Soul-Hunting Crossbow isn’t worth three thousand taels. Though I need it, I wouldn’t make such an unreasonable transaction. Surely Wushuang City, with its renowned name, doesn’t need these three thousand taels.”
“Wushuang City doesn’t need it, but I do. Well, since you seem decent… wait, why are you wearing a mask?!” The guard finally noticed.
“I made an enemy who carved seventeen cuts into my face, making it quite horrifying. Hence, I wear this mask in public. Please understand,” Su Muyu replied.
“Fine, seeing your pitiful state, I won’t charge as much. Three hundred taels, not a coin less.” The guard pursed his lips.
“Three hundred taels…” Su Muyu pulled out a banknote from his clothes. After much hesitation, the guard snatched it, checked the amount, and waved satisfactorily: “Go on then.”
Su Muyu sighed helplessly and turned to leave.
“Wait!” The young man who had been sitting nearby put down his watermelon and stood up. Everyone behind him also stood.
“What else?” Su Muyu turned back.
“What did that sigh mean?” the young man asked.
Su Muyu paused before responding: “I merely lament that Wushuang City, once the greatest sect in the world, now sets up checkpoints to extort others. I’ve long admired Wushuang City’s reputation, but today’s encounter has left me deeply disappointed.”
“Once?” The young man raised an eyebrow.
His followers immediately started cursing: “Boy, Wushuang City has always been the world’s greatest sect. Aren’t you afraid of death, speaking such nonsense?”
“In today’s martial world, Xueyue City stands first,” Su Muyu said coldly. “I don’t think I’m alone in this opinion. If you believe Wushuang City is stronger, then let me ask: Who defeated Ye Ding’s Half-Palm technique and saved the world? Who among the Five Sword Immortals has a city named after their sword? Who is the world’s unique Spear Immortal? None of these people are from Wushuang, so how can Wushuang claim to be first under heaven?”
“Sitong, return his bank note,” the young man said sternly.
The guard hesitated reluctantly: “But…”
“Quickly!” the young man thundered. “It’s because of people like you that Wushuang City is increasingly disrespected!”
“Yes… yes, sir.” Seeing the young man’s anger, the guard hurriedly stuffed the banknote back into Su Muyu’s hand before quickly retreating.
“Your money is returned. You speak truth – such actions are indeed contemptible,” the young man said, his spear now in hand. “However, your words insulting Wushuang City cannot be easily forgiven. I see you wear a sword – come, let us duel.”